Hemigraphis alternata plant named ‘HEGHE02’

ABSTRACT

‘HEGHE02’ is a distinctive variety of  Hemigraphis alternata  which is characterized by yellow and green leaf variegation, large leaf size, and a dense growth habit.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Hemigraphis alternata.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Hemigraphis alternatadisclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘HEGHE02’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofHemigraphis alternata, which has been given the variety denomination of‘HEGHE02’. Its market class is that of an herbaceous perennialgroundcover. The primary intended use of Hemigraphis alternata is as adecorative foliage plant in ornamental containers, but it may also beused as a spreading groundcover in warm, tropical climates. The speciesis known for its attractive foliage color which can be described as aniridescent, metallic purple upper leaf surface and a solid purple lowerleaf surface.

Parentage: In February 2012, a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphisalternata ‘Exotica’ (unpatented), possessing yellow and green foliagevariegation, was discovered at a commercial greenhouse facility inApopka, Fla. in a production crop of 2,545 nursery pots of Hemigraphisalternata ‘Exotica’. All other progeny in the crop maintained thefoliage color that is typical of the parent. Each pot within the cropcontained multiple vegetative cutting progeny and, upon closerexamination, it was determined that the variegated mutation, or “sport”,resulted from a mutation on a lateral branch of one such vegetativecutting. Said sport was removed from the mother plant as a vegetativecutting in March 2012 and rooted in a separate area so its growth couldbe monitored. Subsequent vegetative cuttings were taken and rooted. Itwas found that the sport remained true to type. The new plant wasfinally selected in December 2012 and given the name ‘HEGHE02’.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘HEGHE02’ was first propagated asexually by stemcuttings at a commercial greenhouse in Apopka, Fla. and has since beenasexually propagated through numerous successive generations with atotal of 9,770 resulting progeny. The distinctive characteristics of theinventive ‘HEGHE02’ variety are stable from generation to generation;clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain thedistinguishing characteristics of the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘HEGHE02’ is a distinctive variety of Hemigraphis alternata which ischaracterized by yellow and green leaf variegation, large leaf size, anda dense growth habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary 5 week-old ‘HEGHE02’ plant.

FIG. 2 illustrates a comparison of ‘HEGHE02’ (on right) with the parent,Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’, on left. Both plants are 28 weeks old.

FIG. 3 illustrates the exemplary foliage variegation of ‘HEGHE02’ (onright) at various stages of development, from juvenile to intermediateto mature, by comparison with the parent, on left. Perspective isadaxial.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of a Hemigraphis alternata ornamental plant known as ‘HEGHE02’.Plant observations were made on plants grown at a commercial greenhousein Apopka, Fla. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosedherein are based upon observations made from 28 week-old,greenhouse-grown ‘HEGHE02’ plants grown from rooted cuttings in 15 cmnursery pots filled with soilless potting media, maintained withperiodic applications of liquid slow-release fertilizer with a 20-20-20(Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium) formulation at a rate of 225parts-per-million of Nitrogen. Plants were regularly watered with dripirrigation (pH 6.0) and systemic fungicides and insecticides wereapplied as pest treatment thresholds dictated. Approximate averagetemperature range in the greenhouse was between 70 and 80 degreesFahrenheit and light levels ranged from 1500 to 1800 Foot-candles. Noplant growth regulators were used.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘HEGHE02’ has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety mayvary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature,light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Colornotations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, TheRoyal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition. Note that genericcolor descriptions such as ‘purple’ do not exist in the R.H.S. chartsand the corresponding R.H.S. colors are quoted.

‘HEGHE02’ is a perennial Hemigraphis alternata plant which is aspontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis alternata ‘Exotica’, selected forits yellow and green leaf variegation, large leaf size, and a densegrowth habit. These features and other characteristics are apparent fromthe description provided below.

Growth Habit, Dimensions and Color

-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant habit.—Creeping to mounding herbaceous perennial with            a fast growth rate.        -   Height.—16 cm as measured.        -   Width.—35 cm as measured.        -   Natural bloom period.—Sporadic; may bloom at any time of            year in warm environments.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 10 to 11.        -   Environmental tolerances.—In common with the species; does            not tolerate drought, high salinity, low temperatures or            frost.        -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—In common            with the species; none of note.        -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using vegetative            cuttings and plants root well without the use of a rooting            compound or hormone. Time to initiate root development is            approximately 7 to 12 days at approximately 70 degrees            Fahrenheit, with light levels of 1800-2000 Foot-candles.-   Roots: Fibrous and freely branched and also exhibits adventitious    rooting from aerial nodes.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching and habit.—Branches are sprawling and prostrate at            ground-level and eventually becoming ascending, exhibiting a            stolon-like habit. Freely branching with numerous branches            ascending from all nodes along stolon-like stems.        -   Stem strength.—Weak; little rigidity.        -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Stem color.—A combination of red-purple 63C and yellow-green            146D, with the predominant color being yellow-green 146D.        -   Stem dimensions.—Longest stem measured at 140 mm. Stem            diameter ranges from 3 to 5 mm at the base.        -   Stem surface.—Soft and pubescent.        -   Internode length.—Highly variable throughout the plant;            generally ranges from 10 to 20 mm between the first and            second aerial nodes.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Perennial.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Arrangement.—Opposite, decussate.        -   Orientation.—Upward and outward in juvenile and intermediate            foliage and becoming close to horizontal in mature foliage.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Broadly acute.        -   Base.—Broadly Cuneate to acute.        -   Cross-section.—Involute.        -   Venation.—Reticulate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surfaces).—Basal portion of the midrib            is red-purple 63B, becoming green 138D along the apical half            of the midrib. All secondary veins are green 138D, except            becoming green-white 157B at and near the leaf margins.        -   Vein color (abaxial surfaces).—Green 145B near the petiole,            becoming red-purple 70A throughout most of the leaf surface.        -   Margins.—Crenate and slightly involute.        -   Texture.—Puckered or blistered leaf surface, i.e. bullate;            both adaxial and abaxial surfaces are pubescent.        -   Mature leaf dimensions.—Approximate length 90 mm, average            width 55 mm.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: variegated with an            irregular pattern of yellow-green 152A at and near the            midrib, becoming yellow-green 152D to 151A at and near the            leaf margin; Intermediate foliage: variegated with an            irregular pattern of yellow-green 146B to 146C at and near            the midrib, becoming yellow 11C at and near the leaf margin;            Mature: variegated with an irregular pattern of yellow-green            146C at and near the midrib, becoming orange-white 159C at            and near the leaf margin.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: greyed-purple 186B;            Intermediate foliage: variegated with an irregular pattern            of yellow-green 147D at and near the midrib, becoming            orange-white 159C at and near the leaf margin; Mature:            variegated with an irregular pattern and exhibiting a            combination of red-purple 70A and 71A at and near the            midrib, with a combination of yellow 11D, red-purple 63C and            63D at and near the leaf margin.        -   Petiole.—Longest measured petioles are 55 mm; width is 3 mm.            Color is a combination of red-purple 63C and yellow-green            146D, with the predominant color being red-purple 63C;            lightly pubescent.        -   Stipules.—None.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Spike inflorescence with few sessile            flowers; typically only one flower is fully opened at any            given time. Aspect of flowers is upward to slightly            pendulous.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—Approximately 4 cm long and 5.5 cm            wide.-   Bud:    -   -   Flower bud shape.—Spherical with an obovate profile.        -   Flower bud length.—Approximately 5.0 mm.        -   Flower bud diameter.—Approximately 2.25 mm, at the widest            point.        -   Bud color.—White RHS 155D.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flowering quantity.—Approximately 2 to 4 flowers per            inflorescence.        -   Natural flowering season.—Naturally blooming continuously            from early spring through late summer.        -   Pedicel.—None; flowers are sessile.        -   Calyx.—Quantity of sepals — 5 sepals, fused at the base.            Sepal dimensions — Approximately 7 mm long and 1.5 mm wide.            Sepal color — Greyed-purple RHS 187A. Sepal apex — Narrowly            acuminate. Sepal margin — Entire.        -   Corolla.—Simple flower consisting of 5 petals, fused at the            base, forming a corolla tube; the approximate diameter is            7.5 mm and the approximate depth is 8.0 mm, including the            corolla tube. Flowers are not persistent and are            non-fragrant. Petal description — Arrangement — Rotate.            Quantity — Five. Length — Unfused portion of the petal            measures approximately 4.0 mm long. Width — Unfused portion            of the petal measures approximately 3.0 mm wide. Apex —            Broad acute. Margin — Entire. Texture — Glabrous, smooth and            with a matte appearance. Color (adaxial surface) — White RHS            155D. Color (abaxial surface) — White RHS 155D.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number — Four. Filament dimension — Approximately 6            mm long and 0.25 mm wide. Filament color— White; near RHS            155A and tinged with red-purple RHS 70A. Anther shape —            Comprised of two pollen chamber of equal size; general shape            is oblong. Anther length — Approximately 0.75 mm. Anther            color — Near red-purple RHS 70A along the dorsiventral            divide; remainder of anther near white RHS 155A. Pollen —            None observed.        -   Pistil.—Pistil number — One. Pistil dimensions —            Approximately 7 mm, including the style, and 0.25 mm wide.            Stigma shape — Club-shaped. Stigma color — White; near RHS            155A and tinged with red-purple RHS 70A. Ovary Position —            Superior.-   Fruit and seed production: None observed.

Comparison of HEGHE02 with Other Varieties of Hemigraphis alternata

By comparison with the parent, the leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ are characterizedby a green and yellow variegated adaxial leaf surface as describedabove, whereas the adaxial leaf surface of the parent is a solid color,corresponding to yellow-green 147A in juvenile and intermediate foliageand becoming greyed-purple (approximately 187A) at maturity. Likewise,the abaxial leaf surface in ‘HEGHE02’ is also variegated as describedherein, whereas the abaxial leaf surface of the parent is a solid color,corresponding to a combination of greyed-purple 186A and purple 79B injuvenile and intermediate foliage and becoming greyed-purple 187A and79A in mature foliage. The stem color of ‘HEGHE02’ is a combination ofred-purple 63C and yellow-green 146D, with the predominant color beingyellow-green 146D whereas the stem color of the parent is a combinationof yellow-green 146D and greyed-purple 187A, with the predominant colorbeing greyed-purple 187D. As described herein, ‘HEGHE02’ exhibits analmost stolon-like habit with a multitude of stems running horizontallyat the soil surface whereas the stems of the parent plant are ascendingas they emerge from the soil. While both the parent and ‘HEGHE02’ areapproximately the same height, the stem internode length in ‘HEGHE02’ isshorter than that of the parent. Stem internode length between the firstand second aerial internodes of ‘HEGHE02’ ranges from 10-20 mm whereasin the parent the length of the same ranges from 30 to 50 mm. Also, themature leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ are larger than those of the parent. Thedimensions of mature leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ are, on average, 90 mm long by55 mm wide, whereas the largest measured leaves of the parent are 80 mmlong and 45 mm wide. The combination of a stolon-like branching habit,shortened stem internodes and larger leaves gives ‘HEGHE02’ a more denseappearance when compared to the parent.

‘HEGHE02’ is similar to the commercial variety Hemigraphis alternata‘HEGHE01’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/987,386) in manyhorticultural characteristics. ‘HEGHE02’, however, has a more decumbentgrowth habit, larger leaves, a lightly bullate leaf texture, slightlyinvoluted leaf margins, and leaves with green and yellow variegation.‘HEGHE02’ exhibits dimension of approximately 16 cm tall and 35 cm wideand stems with a decumbent, stolon-like growth habit, whereas ‘HEGHE01’exhibits dimensions of approximately 22 cm tall and 28 cm wide and stemswith an upright attitude. Mature leaves of ‘HEGHE02’ exhibit dimensionsof approximately 90 mm long and 55 mm wide, whereas mature leaves of‘HEGHE01’ exhibit dimensions of approximately 80 mm long and 45 mm wide.The leaf texture of ‘HEGHE01’ is highly bullate, whereas the expressionof this characteristic is less pronounced in ‘HEGHE02’. Juvenile andintermediate leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ exhibit a highly involute cross-sectionby comparison with ‘HEGHE02’ which exhibits only a slightly involuteleaf cross-section. The adaxial leaf surface of ‘HEGHE02’ ischaracterized by green and yellow variegation and a pale pink colorationof the abaxial surface, whereas the leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ arecharacterized by pink and green to white and green variegation of theadaxial leaf surface, and a generally bright pink appearance to theabaxial leaf surface.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hemigraphisalternata plant named ‘HEGHE02’, substantially as described andillustrated herein.